Jeremiah Reyes Faces Possible Habitual Criminal Charges

A Casper man pleaded not guilty to five felony counts and four misdemeanor counts during his arraignment in Natrona County District Court on Tuesday.

Jeremiah Reyes is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, each punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment; three counts of strangulation of a household member, each punishable by up to five years imprisonment; and three misdemeanor counts of domestic violence, and one misdemeanor count of property destruction.

Because of previous felony convictions, Reyes could receive habitual criminal status if convicted of either or both of the aggravated assault charges. That could result in an enhanced penalties of between 10 and 50 years imprisonment.

Judge Daniel Forgey said a trial date will be scheduled later.

Reyes remains in custody on a $75,000 bond.

He was originally charged with one count of kidnapping, but that count was not in the amended criminal information document.

The case began when the alleged victim told Casper officers she was sleeping on Oct. 13 when Reyes woke her, and he was in a rage about text messages he found on her phone.

Reyes slammed her against a wall multiple times, punched her, and prevented her from getting to a phone to call for help. He also threatened to kill her and her dogs, and then hang himself, according to court documents.

The victim also told police Reyes strangled her five times during a course of two hours.

The victim escaped when Reyes used the restroom.

Officers saw injuries on the victim’s neck that were consistent with being gripped forcefully. Preliminary tests showed that she had a brain bleed.

When police arrived at Reyes’ residence, he did not respond. Police later took him into custody after obtaining a search warrant. They found blood in various locations at the residence.